Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1887-05-20
Party Harmony.

lhe action OF the Democratlc State CEN
trail committee, at its meeting last week,
in assuming supervisory control OF the
primary elections in Baltimore city, seems
to have been we'll received by Democratic
public opinion in the city as we'll as in
the counties. The leading Journals which
have voiced the dissatisfaction said to
exist regarding unfairness in the conduct
of the city primaries express satisfaction
at the action taken by the committee look
ing to a correction of the evil.
The chief grievance complained of at
the Oratorio Hall meeting of the Reform
ers and the agitation which has followed,
was the Irregularities said to be practiced
at the primary elections in the city where
by improper candidates. were said to be
set up for the party vote and the voice of
the people of the State thereby in large
measure thwarted or perverted. The
counties were appealed to in this behalf
and were invoked to come to the aid of
the city Democracy and assist them in
purify ing political methods, so that tree
and fair expression of the will of The Dem
ocratic masses should be given at the pri-
maries and candidates put up who would
command The respect and united support
of the city Democracy.
The State Central Committee has recog-
nized the protest thus raised by respecta-
BILE Democrats and in Difference thereto
has appointed a sub b-committee, consisting
of three of its members from the city and
four from the counties, to act as board
of supervisors of primary elections, which
board is invested with the exclusive power
to appoint the judges and clerks OF the
city prim aries and charged with the duty
Of supervising the same and adopting
such regulations as will insure their fair
and impartial conduct. This board is al
SO invested with supervisory powers in
regard to the county primaries, in such
counties as have not local committees
charged with this duty; but, as no COM
plant of irregularities are ever heard in
the counties, it is not probable that their
jurisdiction will be invoked outside of
the city.
This is somewhat of new departure in
party management, but as it has been
done in compliance with the earnest soli-
citation Of the city Democracy, as evinced
by the practically unanimous vote Of the
city members of the committee, as well as
In Difference to the wishes of that respecta-
BILE body of citizens whe have been heard
at the several reform meetings, it cannot
be said to be an Infringement upon the
political autonomy or local selfgovernment
of the Democracy of the city. A disin-
terested arbitration to stand between the
city factions and do impartial justice to
all has been called for and the State COM
mittee has devolved this duty upon sub
committee of its members
The duties thus devolved upon, the
members of this committee, and especially
the county members who constitute the
majority, are of a delicate and responsible
character. 1t is to be hoped, however.
that an earnest cooperation on the part
of all elements of the city Democracy may
render the best of material for election Of
fcers available to the appointing power
and thereby facilitate their work and en-
sure its success. The true desire OF the
party for absolute fairness in its methods
has thus been made manifest and it is
hoped and believed that complete restor-
alton Of confidence and end to all dissatis-
faction may be effected by the practical
operation OF the means which have been
thus provided. The election Of this fall
will be in many respects an important one,
and it is desirable that perfect harmony
should exist in the party.